Kitten won't stop licking me! Help!

crazycatgirly · Aug 12, 2008

Hi guys

I'm hoping someone here will have some advice or creative ideas on how to solve a problem I'm having with my newest kitten. She was rescued from a tree at work, and when it was decided that she's homeless I volunteered to adopt her. She's sweet, loving, feisty, and just adorable, except... she won't stop licking me! I'm not talking the occasional affectionate lick (I've had cats for eons) but rather that, especially if it's nighttime and she's cuddled up with me in bed, she aggressively licks any part of my skin she can get to.

It's driving me CRAZY! Last night I finally put her in the laundry room at 3:00 in the morning after fighting off the licking since I went to bed at 10:00. I don't mind her sleeping with me -- she's very cuddly and purrs a lot, but I can't take the persistent licking. It hurts, too, because she does it so much that it feels like a carpet burn.

I think she wasn't totally weaned when we found her. Perhaps this is the problem? At any rate, what can I do?! It's very annoying!

rianna · Aug 12, 2008

She most likely was weaned way too early from her mother. Your overly affectionate kitten really loves you, which is great, but I can understand where it can really hurt. (My kitten kneads me at night for hours)

Bitter Apple spray would make you taste bad to her, but I don't know if you really want to go to bed like that. Maybe try to tire her out before bed so she just falls asleep for the night? Or get her a little stuffed toy when she starts to lick you and maybe she'll transfer the action to that?

What's your kitten's name? I felt bad just typing 'she.' lol

crazycatgirly · Aug 12, 2008

Oh, sorry, her name is Bronte, as in Charlotte.

Those are good suggestions, about the stuffed toy and also about tiring her out. I think the licking is worse when she's feeling playful, because Sunday night she wasn't feeling well and we slept much better together!
Hmm. I might be willing to smell like bitter apples if it'll keep her from licking me. Where do you find it?

howtoholdacat · Aug 12, 2008

I too rescued a kitten who was weaned too early and he also licks a lot. I know what you mean about it hurting. He's aggressive about it. I had to start pushing him away from me when he would do it much like a mother cat weaning a kitten. It worked but it took some time and I lost several nights of sleep too! He'd pin me down and lick my face. Anyway, he's about a year to a year and a half now and he's given up the licking for the most part. It does get better!

rianna · Aug 13, 2008

I'm sure if you go to a Petsmart/Petco type place they should carry it. If you just do a google search for "bitter apple spray for cats" a bunch of places come up.

How did things go last night? .... and I love her name by the way.

Jane Eyre is one of my favorite books.

kristykitty · Aug 13, 2008

I know you probably don't want to hear this but I just had to get this out...that is just tooo flippin cute!!

Okay sorry. I know it's annoying

The only other thing I can think of to do is to wear long sleeves and long pants to bed, and socks. Of course, then she might just lick you face...maybe there is a lotion or cream that she wouldn't like, but wouldn't be as harsh (for you to sleep in) as the sour apple?

cdubbie · Aug 14, 2008

when I first brought home my rescue kitten Smidge....she licked me to the point I lost many layers of skin!

Once she felt more secure it lessened quite a bit...she still does it on occasion when she's in the mood. She was a loving cat but had been without love for a long time (or ever) so I think that is where her enthusiasm came from.

I really think it is part of the suck up phase when we bring home a new cat.

Love the name! and thank you for bringing her into your home!

wjburkett · Jan 4, 2014

Did Bronte ever stop licking you? Walter, our new kitten--also a stray rescue-- grooms me every morning.... EARLY,!! Any skin he can find, particularly hands and face. Doesn't touch my husband! Was sweet and loving initially, now I just am frustrated!

slykat12 · Jan 8, 2014

crazycatgirly said:
Hi guys

I'm hoping someone here will have some advice or creative ideas on how to solve a problem I'm having with my newest kitten. She was rescued from a tree at work, and when it was decided that she's homeless I volunteered to adopt her. She's sweet, loving, feisty, and just adorable, except... she won't stop licking me! I'm not talking the occasional affectionate lick (I've had cats for eons) but rather that, especially if it's nighttime and she's cuddled up with me in bed, she aggressively licks any part of my skin she can get to.

It's driving me CRAZY! Last night I finally put her in the laundry room at 3:00 in the morning after fighting off the licking since I went to bed at 10:00. I don't mind her sleeping with me -- she's very cuddly and purrs a lot, but I can't take the persistent licking. It hurts, too, because she does it so much that it feels like a carpet burn.

I think she wasn't totally weaned when we found her. Perhaps this is the problem? At any rate, what can I do?! It's very annoying!

I am having the same issue!!! Whitney is 5 months now and she was found at 6 weeks in a parking lot and brought to a shelter and foster human mom. She lived with her siblings till I took her home at 10 weeks. She does lick once or twice in the daytime hours say during play or a cuddle but at night she is ALL over my face with her tongue. I turn my head and she just follows. If I hide under the covers she gets even more aggressive. Her bowls are full and litter box clean and this only happens in the middle of the night! I don't want her licking moisturizer!

chasetheblue · Jan 8, 2014

My girls do this too. I just push them away and after a few tries they give up. They can be REALLY persistent sometimes though!

Mine were weaned too early (6 weeks) and I have always attributed their behaviour to that

MoochNNoodles · Jan 8, 2014

Wjburkett said:
Did Bronte ever stop licking you? Walter, our new kitten--also a stray rescue-- grooms me every morning.... EARLY,!! Any skin he can find, particularly hands and face. Doesn't touch my husband! Was sweet and loving initially, now I just am frustrated!

Welcome to TCS Wjburkett! This thread is a bit old; I'm not sure if the original poster is active here at this time. Please feel free to start a new thread and give us some more information. Hopefully we can help you with your kitty over grooming you!

slykat12 · Jan 8, 2014

yeah i guess 3 of us being licked to death by our babies jumped on an old thread. OPPS At least we know we are not alone!

lindabonetti · Jul 15, 2015

I have a kitten that licks me a lot. Did you get any good suggestions?

56tears · Mar 24, 2017

I have 2 yr old sisters who were not weaned too soon, Franny and Zoey. One of them, Franny, is a licker. She is the sweetest cat, but drives me crazy with her licking. If she can find bare skin she is going to lick. She also has white socks, one of which has a gray spot that she will lick raw. I can control that by applying Vaseline with cayenne pepper mixed in. I cannot spread it on myself. One additional thing, she is easily overstimulated, so slow easy stroking is needed, making me think it may a neurological issue. I thought if I took her to the vet for this medication would be the solution, but I don't want a Franny who sleeps all the time. Any thoughts?

rampionrampage · Mar 24, 2017

I've had a couple cats do this. They eventually chill out. Often I'd put them down every time they licked, or pulled away my hand.

One kitten realized that she was better off bugging SO because I wanted nothing to do with it while sleeping. Would completely cover my head with the blanket some mornings! SO sleeps like the dead.

Best was when the cats got hold of a rodent.... he was ALL ABOUT licking me, I just hid in the bedroom away from him for awhile.

rampionrampage · Mar 24, 2017

Just realized this was an old post... thought I was just contributing an anecdote.

@56tears, licking a lot at one spot is often a sign of anxiety. A vet that jumps straight to meds for this is not a vet you want to hold on to. They should be making other suggestions first.

You might want to take a look at threads about compulsive licking at one place/cat anxiety.

Kitten won't stop licking me! Help!

crazycatgirly

TCS Member

Thread starter

rianna

TCS Member

crazycatgirly

TCS Member

Thread starter

howtoholdacat

TCS Member

rianna

TCS Member

kristykitty

TCS Member

cdubbie

TCS Member

wjburkett

TCS Member

slykat12

TCS Member

chasetheblue

TCS Member

MoochNNoodles

TCS Member

slykat12

TCS Member

lindabonetti

TCS Member

56tears

TCS Member

rampionrampage

TCS Member

rampionrampage

TCS Member

Latest Posts

Connect with us